Luque

Luque Lúke (Avañe'ẽ)
City
Luque, Paraguay
Flag
Luque
Coordinates: 25°16′12″S 57°29′14″W / 25.27000°S 57.48722°W / -25.27000; -57.48722
Country	Paraguay
Department	Central
Area
• Total	220 km2 (80 sq mi)
Elevation	120 m (390 ft)
Population  (2016)
• Total	263,604
Climate	Am

Luque (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈlu.ke]) is a city in Central Department of Paraguay, part of the Gran Asunción metropolitan area. Both 1635 and 1750 have been recorded as dates of its founding.^[1] It was temporarily the capital of Paraguay in 1868 during the Paraguayan War before relocation to San Estanislao. It is located at around 25°16′12″S 57°29′14″W / 25.27000°S 57.48722°W / -25.27000; -57.48722. Luque is one of the most important cities in the country.^[2] The city counts as home of Paraguay's main international airport, Silvio Pettirossi International Airport and the Ñu Guasú Park, which is where the Paraguayan Olympic Committee is also located.^[3] The continental governing body of association football in South America, CONMEBOL, has its headquarters approximately 3 minutes from the Airport, consisting of the South American Football Museum and walking distance from the Bourbon CONMEBOL Asunción Convention Hotel.^[4] When it existed, ARPA – Aerolíneas Paraguayas had its headquarters in the ARPA Terminal on the grounds of the airport.^[5] It is a center of production of Guitars and Paraguayan harps as well as Filigranas, gold and silver filigree jewelry including the seven-band ring Carretón de Siete Ramales. On 27 January 2016, Paraguayan Newspaper La Nación had reported that Carlos Echeverría Estigarribia, the elected intendent of the city of Luque, states his intention of wanting Luque to be one of the most important cities.^[6]